The sun shone brightly in the sky, the day beautiful, more beautiful than any other day than Kogure has ever remembered. The singing birds outside his window was even making a symphony in echo of the wonderfully melodious feeling in his heart.

Kogure gazed at the doll on his desk and smiled. Picking it up, he brushed the doll's cheek gently with his thumb and giggled like a highschool girl in love. It was a gift Sakuragi gave to him when they got back together again and when the redhead told him when he bought it and why, the doll became even the more precious.

When he heard the bell to the door ringing, he rushed downstairs to answer, knowing who it would be. As he opened the door, his smile turned bright as he gazed the face of the person that he loved.

"Ohayo," Sakuragi greeted, his smile shy.

"Ohayo," Kogure blushed, greeting back. Kaede, who sitting on the steps of the stairs, rolled his eyes in disgust at the mushy scene. The two young men seemed to have gotten more doting than ever before and the fox-eyed boy thought that it was silly. Once, Kogure laughed at him and said that he would understand when he finds someone that he loves...
Kaede snorted. Unlikey.

Mr. Kogure was laying down on the floor taking a nap in front of the television, his newspaper tucked under his arm when a hand gently shook him awake.

"Outosa~an."

"Ngh..." grumbled the man and tried to shift away from the disturbance when the person persisted, "Outosa~an..."

One eye cracked open a slit, before it widened, and then the other eye also popping open to see his eldest son and Sakuragi sitting in front of him, waiting for acknowledgement of their presence.

Mr. Kogure sat up quickly and demanded to the redhead, "What are you doing here?!"

Sakuragi smiled and answered, "I have come to ask that you acknowledge my relationship with Kiminobu."

The man was at a loss for words. The redhead in front of him looked the same as when he was here last but something was different - either it was the way he talked or the way he was able to meet his eyes with calmness radiating from the clear brown orbs, Mr. Kogure could not be sure.

Mr. Kogure snorted and turned his back to the redhead, "Haven't you learnt anything?"

"I mean it this time," Sakuragi told him.

Mr. Kogure 'hmph'ed, "So what? What difference does that make?"

"Before I didn't have any self-confidence," replied the redhead, "But now, it's changed. I already understand."

Kogure's father grumbled and stood up to leave, "What are you talking about?"

"I may be a kid," Sakuragi told him, "but that also means that I have the sincerity of a kid. We mean what we say and we do not hide behind lies."

Mr. Kogure stared at him for a moment before we growled and stalked away. Sakuragi watched the man's retreating back and sighed, "I still can't do it."

"You will," Kogure comforted him with a soft smile. The redhead smiled back and stood up to leave himself. Kogure followed behind him when Mrs. Kogure called out to him, "Sakuragi-kun, won't you stay and have some grapes. We just got it this morning from a friend."

Sakuragi grinned, "Sure!" and went back into the living room with Mrs. Kogure. The spectacled-teenager went along and Kaede chose that moment to join them.

"So the fox appears," teased Sakuragi as he bit on the sweet fruit.

"A'hou," said Kaede, popping a purple globe in his mouth, "You're just a guest here."

"Kaede," chastised Mrs. Sakuragi, "Watch your manners."

Mr. Kogure heard the laughter coming from the living room and turned his head around to watch his family and the redhead eating grapes, joking among themselves and having fun teasing each other. Seeing them that happy made him want to go back inside and join them but instead he chose to walk away.


~~~~

"I told you before and I'm telling you now! The answer is still NO!"

Kogure resisted the urge to hold Sakuragi hands and instead watched at his father in disappointment. The redhead has been coming to the house for a week asking for his father for his 'blessing' but all the young man has gotten was verbal abuse.

Sakuragi bowed, his face a mask of patience, "I will come again."

"Stop wasting your time!" yelled Mr. Kogure, "I will not change my mind! I don't like my son going out with any boy! Especially one who won't stop dreaming of becoming a basketball star."

Sakuragi's smile wavered. Kogure watched the redhead from the corner of his eyes nervously. To his relief Sakuragi merely bowed and walked out and Kogure followed quickly to join him outside.

"I'm sorry..." Kogure began when suddenly a finger tapping against his forehead cut him off.

"Hey, why are you apologising?" the redhead teased. Slinging his gym bag over his shoulder the redhead turned around and waved, "Oyasumi nasai, Min-kun. See ya tomorrow."

"Hai," Kogure waved back, "Oyasumi nasai."

When the redhead was gone, the hand which was waving in the air clenched and dropped down. Sakuragi have tried his best to at least get Mr. Kogure to accept that he was a young man, not a child, but Mr. Kogure gave no sign of relenting even the slightest.

Kogure decided that it was his turn now to make his father see Sakuragi the way he sees him. Walking into the house with determination, he sought out his father who was still in the living room and spoke, "Outosan."

Mr. Kogure gave the young man a glance before turning back to his paper.

"I have a favour to ask of you," began to Kogure, "Tomorrow, there is the match between Shohoku and Aiwa college. I want you to come and watch it with me."

Mr. Kogure stared at his son as his wife standing beside the kitchen waited quietly for his answer.

"Why waste my time?" scoffed Mr. Kogure turning his head away.

"Please, outosan!" begged Kogure, "Just this once and see Hanamichi play ball."

"It's no use-"

"Why don't we all go?"
Kogure and his father turned around to stare at Mrs. Kogure who was smiling at them cheerfully.

"What?" demanded Mr. Kogure.

"It sounds fun," said Mrs. Kogure, "We should all go and watch it. Beside Kaede will be playing too, is that right, Kiminobu?"

"Hai!" Kogure nodded happily.

"I will not go!" growled Mr. Kogure hitting his newspaper on the table, "I will not!"

The gym was crowded with spectators eager to watch the match between the mighty Aiwa college and the unknown team of Shohoku who managed to topple the formidable Sannoh of Akita. The school's popularity was also garnered by the odd duo, Sakuragi and Kaede, who even while they were working together hand in hand, their childish antics provided the relief entertainment.

Kogure sat among the crowd at the nearly top part of the spectators area with his parents. Mrs. Sakuragi, who rarely went to places full of excitement and energy, seemed excited to be there whereas her husband seemed to want to run out and never come back. He would've done that too if he hadn't remembered his wife's threat of not speaking to him for as long as she lived if he refuses to come along. So he sat there, arms crossed against his chest and a displeased frown on his face.

Kogure watched his father surreptitiously before the whistle sounded to signal that the game has started. Shohoku got the ball first and they made use of that advantage to immedietly start on their offense that had the opposing team surprised. When Shohoku managed to score their first goal and three pointer, the crowd roared with approval.

Mr. Kogure didn't even bat a lid as he watched the match proceed. To him it was just useless entertainment when he happened to see Sakuragi steal an exceptionally high pass that surprised him. As he began to really watch he noticed a few things that caught his attention. The teamwork between the redhead and his son was commendable and powerful that left the Aiwa players scrambling for control and the rebounds Sakuragi captured were impressive since he had to fight off other players taller and bigger than he was. There seemed to endless energy coming from Sakuragi that he was amazed at seeing coming from a young person like the redhead. Sakuragi even had the time to fool around with his son and the other team-players before switching from the playful facade to serious determination as quick as the Aiwa's ability to erect a firm defence.

"Outosan!" Kogure said, gripping his father's arm excitedly, "There's Hanamichi! See? There! No. 10!"

"I know! I know!" replied Mr. Kogure gruffly, shaking his son away who seemed to have become as annoying as a fly.

Kogure blinked in surprise and saw with delight the mask of intense concentration on his father's face as the man watched the match raptly. Mr. Kogure understood now why the redhead was the source of attention of most cheers from the spectators. Other than the striking red hair, the redhead's endless ability to surprise the spectators with his amazing leaps and bounds have also affected him. That and the expression the redhead wore as sweat covered every inch of the rugged face. Mr. Kogure wasn't looking at a child anymore. He was looking at man. A man who was determined not to give up without the fight of his life.

Finally the whistle sounded and everyone in their seats cheered for joy. When the spell was broken, Mr. Kogure shook his head vigorously when he realised that he was smiling. Wiping the smile off of his face, Mr. Kogure stared at the floor in consternation.
Jumping out of his seat, Kiminobu ran downstairs after telling his parents that he wanted to congratulate the team. Mrs. Kogure nodded in response while her husband kept silent.

When Mr. Kogure finally looked up, he saw his son down at the court with Kaede and Sakuragi, talking and laughing about the victory. As Kiminobu shared a hug with the redhead, loving glances passed between them and Mr. Kogure realised that this was the first time he has ever seen his son this happy in his whole life. All the time, he was assured that his two sons would be happy with the education he was able to give them and the chances for a bright future, a future that he would want them to have for he believed in it. But now he realised that his sons needed more.
Not taking his eyes away from the scene on the court, he sighed, "Do you think that I am a fool?"

Mrs. Kogure turned around to gaze at her husband lovingly and took his hand in hers, "No, I don't. You only wanted what's best for us."

Mr. Kogure nodded resignedly, "Aa."

Looking towards Kiminobu and the redhead who was still standing together side by side, even with other people pushing at them, Mrs. Kogure giggled, "We had that same moment before."

Her husband smiled, "Aa."

"You were just like Sakuragi-kun. Determined and sincere." Squeezing her husband's hand gently, she added, "Never forget those moments. Never."

"Oniisaaaan! Have you seen my brown jacket?"

Mrs. Kogure peeked out from the kitchen and blinked, "No. I didn't see it in the laundry basket this morning. Maybe it has slipped under your bed again."

"No..." Kogure's muffled voice came from up the stairs, "I already checked..."

Sakuragi stood outside the gate, tapping his foot impatiently. "How long does he need to get ready?" the redhead groused, "The film's about the start..."
Suddenly he saw Mr. Kogure walking along the street towards him and his body tensed in nervousness.

"Ah..." the redhead sweated, "O-Ohayo..."

Mr. Kogure didn't reply and walked past him to enter the house. When the door shut behind him, the redhead sighed, "He still hates me..."

Inside the house, Mr. Kogure arched an eyebrow at the antics of his eldest son. The brown-haired teenager was running around trying to find a clean presentable jacket before he finally snatched Kaede's green one from the table that the fox-eyed boy left last night.

"Ah!" cried Kogure, "Why is my hair a mess?!"
As the spectacled-young man stood in front of the mirror fussing at his hair, Mr. Kogure shook his head wryly. Clearing his throat noisily, the man asked, "What are you doing?"

Kogure gave a start. When his father knows where he would be going to and with whom, the man would start arguing with him again.
"Uh... e-eto..."

"Hurry up."

"N-Nani?"

"You're keeping that basketball player waiting outside," Mr. Kogure told him gruffly, shaking his head again before walking away, "You're worse that a woman..."
Suddenly, his breath caught in his throat when he felt warm hands envelope him from behind.

Leaning his head against his father back, Kogure whispered, "I'm going now, outosan. Sayonara."

Wiping the tear away from his eye, Kogure turned around and walked out. When he reached Sakuragi waiting outside, he pulled the redhead arm and grinned, "Gomen, ne."

"We're going to be late for the movie..." began the redhead, when he saw Kogure's happy expression, "You're in a good mood. Care to tell me about it?"

"Later," said Kogure pulling the redhead along.

Mr. Kogure watched his son leave with the redhead and sighed. He knew that there would be a time to let his sons go but he had not expected one of them to walk away with another young man. Turning away from the window, he faced the face of his loving wife who was smiling serenely at him. He hoped both his sons would live a good life with someone who they would hold dear to like the woman standing in front of him. Even if it was someone like Sakuragi.

At the day of the 3rd year student graduation for the 34th intake, Kogure waited by the gate for a particular ex-Shohoku student to meet him. He already talked to Kaede after the ceremony and the fox-eyed teenager has already gone home to sleep rather than celebrate with his other classmates. After he has taken his nap, he knew Kaede would pester him for a game with Sakuragi, Akagi and Miyagi. If his brother knew that he could get Mitsui to play with them as well, Kaede would've pestered him about it too.
The sound of footsteps approaching him shook him off of his musings and he looked up to give the person a smile.

"Ganbatte ne," congratulated Kogure, "You made it through highschool."

Sakuragi grinned and tapped his roll of certificate on his shoulder, "Hai. I did."

When I first met him, it was raining.

This year, we are together, and it will be the second navigation for him and I. What we will do with our life we will make it step by step. But we will not forget the moments...
Of that day...
Of that time...

Never will we forget them.

And there are other moments which I refuse to forget.

Sakuragi held Kogure's hand in his own and together they walked happily hand in hand away from the school and the crowd. Their life together would start anew from that day on.

Today, the sky is very clear. And so is our future.

~the end.

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